Kingswood Capital Acquires Safran Passenger Innovations (RAVE Aerospace)

Renovo Capital Acquires ADVEEZ

March 24, 2025

Aerospace & Defense

Renovo Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm, has acquired ADVEEZ, a Toulouse-based developer of specialized hardware and software telematics for aviation ground support equipment. DLA Piper advised Renovo; Renovo intends to invest in R&D, customer care and post-sales support to grow ADVEEZ as part of its IoT platform strategy.

Southwest Airlines Acquires SAFFiRE Renewables

March 28, 2024

Renewable Energy

Southwest Airlines Co., through its wholly owned subsidiary Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures LLC (SARV), has acquired SAFFiRE Renewables LLC to secure exclusive technology and advance development of scalable renewable ethanol that can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The acquisition moves Southwest from investor to sole owner of SAFFiRE and supports a pilot plant using SAFFiRE's NREL-licensed technology to process corn stover into renewable ethanol, with planned conversion to SAF by LanzaJet.

Curtiss-Wright Acquires Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company for $240M

July 5, 2022

Aerospace & Defense

Curtiss-Wright Corporation completed the acquisition of the Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company (SAA) for $240 million in cash. SAA, a designer and manufacturer of fixed‑wing aircraft emergency arresting systems with operations in Aston, Pennsylvania and Merpins, France, generated approximately $70 million of sales in 2021, employs nearly 140 people, and will operate within Curtiss‑Wright’s Naval & Power segment.

Cerberus Acquires Vivace International

February 18, 2026

Aerospace & Defense

An affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management has completed the full acquisition of Vivace International, a New Orleans–based maker of mission‑critical propulsion tanks and aerospace systems. Cerberus initially made a growth investment in 2024 and plans to scale Vivace's production capacity and advanced manufacturing capabilities to support an expanding portfolio of U.S. defense and spaceflight programs; retired Space Force Colonel and former NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins has joined Vivace as a Senior Advisor.

Karman Missile & Space Systems Acquires AAE Aerospace

February 9, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Karman Missile & Space Systems, a Trive Capital portfolio company, has acquired AAE Aerospace, a manufacturer of high-temperature composites used in missile, interceptor, and space propulsion subsystems. The deal expands Karman's end-to-end production capabilities for critical propulsion components and keeps AAE's senior leadership as equity holders; Trive served as the sponsor and advisors included Lazard Middle Market and D.A. Davidson.

Certares and Knighthead Invest €300 Million in Avia Solutions Group

December 16, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Avia Solutions Group has entered a strategic partnership with Certares Management LLC, with additional investment from Knighthead Capital Management, providing a €300 million investment. The capital will be used for strategic acquisitions, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, and Certares will join the group's Board to support global expansion and capability growth.